(To see the comics or find a participating store visit the website.)
In the meantime you can check out what I've been reading this month.
Steampunk LEGO by Guy HimberMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is awesome. I would highly recommend it for anyone who is a fan of either Lego or Steampunk. Although it is mostly just fun to flip through and look at all the Lego creations the book also includes descriptions of each written in the form of letters and reports to Queen Victoria. Includes everything from trains and airships to mysterious creature. The only thing that could make it better would be including plans for at least some of the builds, but you can always study the photos and come up with your own variations. There's a section with steampunk versions of Star Wars ships.
Age Recommendations:
All Ages
BiblioCraft: The Modern Crafter's Guide to Using Library Resources to Jumpstart Creative Projects by Jessica PigzaMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book has two basic sections one about using the library and the other for the projects. The first introduces you to different types of libraries and special collections and offers tips for planning a visit to use those collections. It also offers a basic overview of catalog systems and offers tips to help find just exactly what you're looking for...how to check if a book has illustrations, using keyword and subject search together to narrow focus, search for certain time frame or just mag. articles, etc. It finishes up with a list of craft related digital libraries you can access and a brief overview of copyright issues and how they relate to possible projects, including information on public domain and fair use rules.
Some of the search examples include finding materials from a specific time for period inspired interior/ fashion design and searching old woman's magazine for embroidery or knitting patterns.
Each project contains information about the creator,suggestions for other crafts using same inspiration source, and an overview of the inspiration/reference materials including sources to check out and subject headings to start with for further research. I was particularly inspired by the projects using maps and cartography as inspiration.
Most of the instructions seem fairly straightforward although some crafting knowledge is assumed for example embroidered watermark pillows have directions for image transfer and sewing the pillow but no specific instructions for the embroidery. They simply state to embroider the design using chain stitch and suggest other books to check out from your library if you need additional instructions.
Age Recommendations:
I would say this book is geared towards adults because it contains more complex search techniques and assumes a certain level of experience with certain types of crafts. That being said you could certainly use the suggestions it includes to help kids research their own interests and find ways to make their ideas come to life.
Ideas & Inspirations for Art Journals & Sketchbooks by Suzanne McNeillMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was pretty short but still worth checking out. Instead of focusing on what kinds of special supplies to use or lots of new techniques it spotlights finding interesting subjects for your journaling. This book contains LOTS of pictures of art journal spreads and some of the information is even presented in an artistic format.
Age Recommendations:
By focusing on journaling about things that are meaningful in your life instead of complicated techniques this book remains relevant to people of all ages and skill levels.
The Book of Lost Books: An Incomplete History of All the Great Books You'll Never Read by Stuart KellyMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
I had a difficult time getting into this book. It is arranged chronologically from the age of ancient greece up to modern times. In the beginning I had trouble because I had very little frame of reference. It discusses things like the only reason we even know about this play is because it was referenced by this person in this other books, and if you don't know anything about the either author its very hard to keep track of the discussion. It did get easier to follow as I moved up in time and there were some anecdotes I enjoyed overall I wasn't that excited.
(Copy I had from library was missing pages 75-78)
Age Recommendations:
Definitely for adults.
The Glass Sentence by S.E. GroveMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
While I enjoyed this book it wasn't as interesting as I had hoped. The description of the books mentions that the world has been split into different ages. The idea of people traveling back and forth and exploring everywhere from prehistoric times with dinosaurs to futuristic societies seems like it has a lot of potential but the main characters only visit a handful of other ages and they seem to be reasonably close together on the timeline. But its only the first in a series so we may see more of the world in future books.
The main focus of the book is the practice of making memory maps and conflict between various factions concerning whether the new splintered world is the real or true world or if they should make an attempt to return it to its unbroken state. Of course that involves debate as to which age the 'real' world belongs to.
I found the idea behind the various types of maps interesting although it doesn't offer much explanation as to how they are created. Even if the Goodreads entry did not list it as part of a trilogy the final chapter implies a continuation of the story and there are references and hints about the larger world throughout the book.
Age Recommendations:
I would say this book is good for late elementary school kids or older. Its hard to say without giving away part of the story but there are some pretty creepy monsters. Also while I did enjoy it I think that older readers might be looking for a more complex story.
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